Youth farmers, ranchers help feed hungry

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Young farmers and ranchers from California donated more than 10 million pounds of food to California families last year as part of the national Harvest for All program.

During a recognition ceremony Sunday at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Phoenix, the state ranked first in food donations to Harvest for All last year.

Throughout the year, regional Young Farmers and Ranchers organizations in California participated in gleaning and collection activities, sometimes following harvest crews through fields to gather fresh fruits and vegetables to be donated to Harvest for All. The food, supplied by farms, ranches, processors and packinghouses, arrived at food banks for distribution to families in need.

"With one-in-six Americans currently living with food insecurity, the Harvest for All program is more important than ever," Danielle Oliver, California Farm Bureau Federation director of leadership development, said. "We're proud of the part young farmers and ranchers have taken through these donations to help hunger-relief efforts."

Since the Harvest for All program was formally launched in 2003 as a partnership of the American Farm Bureau Federation and Feeding America, more than 83 million meals have been served. Farmers and ranchers also donate money and volunteer hours to the program.